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Fire hydrant compliance update
Rocky View County is strengthening oversight of inspection, testing, and maintenance records for privately owned fire hydrants to support compliance with Alberta fire safety requirements.
There are over 1,100 fire hydrants located in Rocky View County, and more than 800 are managed by private utilities. Where hydrants are privately managed, the utility is responsible for routine inspection, testing, maintenance, and sharing records of inspection with the County.
To promote consistent reporting practices from these utilities, Rocky View County is taking steps to ensure that reporting on fire hydrants is shared with the County annually.
Recent updates
- 1
August 1, 2025
Rocky View County took enforcement action to Westridge Utilities Inc. in the Springbank area (Swift Creek Estates) to require records of fire hydrant inspection and maintenance compliance.
- 2
August 13, 2025
Westridge Utilities Inc. filed an appeal with the Enforcement Appeal Committee for the County against the enforcement order.
- 3
November 18, 2025
Rocky View County Enforcement Appeal Committee meeting was held to address the appeal by Westridge Utilities Inc. against the Enforcement Order.
- 4
December 12, 2025
Rocky View County received a separate Order from the Safety Codes Council, which found that Westridge Utilities Inc., did not provide required fire hydrant inspection and testing records needed to demonstrate compliance with Alberta fire safety requirements.
The Order also states that Rocky View County must expand its enforcement actions beyond the Springbank area to all subdivisions where hydrants are present.
- 5
December 30, 2025
The Enforcement Appeal Committee confirmed the Order requiring Westridge Utilities to share fire hydrant service and maintenance records with Rocky View County, providing the County a starting point to guide further County-wide enforcement efforts.
What this means for residents
- If you live in a subdivision with privately managed hydrants, your utility operator will receive a request from the County to submit inspection and testing records for all fire hydrants.
- If records are unavailable, third-party hydrant testing may be required, at the private hydrant owner’s expense.
- The County will track progress through a centralized compliance system and provide regular updates to Council.
- Updates will be posted on this page as work continues.
If you are unsure whether hydrants in your area are privately managed, or you have questions about this work, contact Rocky View County at (403) 230-1401 or questions@rockyvew.ca.
What is changing?
As Rocky View County expands this work across subdivisions where fire hydrants are present, the biggest change is increased County oversight of privately managed hydrant inspection, testing, and maintenance records.
- The County is expanding compliance work beyond the Springbank area to all subdivisions where fire hydrants are present.
- Private utilities will be required to submit inspection and testing records to demonstrate compliance with Alberta fire safety requirements.
- Where records are missing or unavailable, the County may require independent third-party testing by qualified contractors, at the private hydrant owner’s expense.
- The County is establishing centralized tracking and will provide updates to Council.
What is not changing
In areas where hydrants are privately managed, private utilities remain responsible for routine inspection, testing, maintenance, and recordkeeping.
Action plan
From January 2026 through spring 2026, Rocky View County intends to:
- Issue compliance notices to identified private hydrant owners requiring submission of inspection and testing records within 60 days.
- Arrange independent third-party hydrant testing by qualified contractors where records are unavailable, at the private hydrant owner’s expense.
- Establish a centralized compliance tracking and reporting system, with regular updates to Council.
- Work directly with private utility operators and infrastructure owners to clarify requirements and timelines.
Fire hydrants in Rocky View County
Fire hydrants are available in some areas of the County and not in others. Fire response is planned based on local conditions, including the availability of hydrants and water sources.
In areas without hydrants, Rocky View County fire engines carry larger water tanks and a water tender is dispatched with the first fire truck. If additional water is needed, tender trucks can shuttle water from the nearest available source. Mutual aid agreements with neighbouring communities provide additional support when required.
If more water is needed from an off-site source, tender trucks establish a shuttle system between the incident scene and the nearest available water source to support sustained operations. Rocky View County Fire Services also conducts area-specific training so crews understand local conditions and can request the right resources quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Project outcomes
Rocky View County will provide a comprehensive report to the Safety Codes Council by December 31, 2027, detailing the steps taken to achieve compliance, including enforcement actions, communications with hydrant owners, and a plan for ongoing oversight.